Construction work begins on £3.9m green technology business centre in Hessle

Work has now commenced on a new £3.9m business centre targeting renewable energy and environmental technology sectors at the Bridgehead business park in East Yorkshire.

The Ergo Centre at Bridgehead in Hessle is being developed by East Riding of Yorkshire Council in conjunction with regeneration company Wykeland Group.

Given the green light by planners in February, the centre will provide a connected environment which offers flexible office and workspace, conference and training facilities, a café and associated parking.

Situating the centre on the Bridgehead site, also developed by Wykeland, ensures that occupants of the facility will have fast and easy access to motorway networks, with the business park located at the centre the Humber region.

PDR Construction, the Hessle-based contractor, has been appointed to deliver the Ergo Centre, which is expected be constructed by the end of the year.

Once complete, the centre will be operated via a new partnership between the council and the University of Hull.

As well as capital investment from the council of £1.9m, funding for the project has been secured from the Local Growth Fund, with £1m allocated from the Humber Local Enterprise Partnership, around £710k from the Green Port Growth Fund Programme, supported by the Regional Growth Fund, and a financial contribution from the University of Hull.

Councillor Stephen Parnaby OBE, leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “This new development is a key part of the council’s economic vision for the area and will help grow businesses in emerging sectors like renewable energy and environmental technology – strengthening the Humber’s reputation as the UK’s Energy Estuary.”

Stephen Hudson, Wykeland’s development director, commented: “We’ve worked closely with East Riding of Yorkshire Council for a number of years to deliver this project, so it’s great to see construction under way.

“The Ergo Centre will add yet another prestigious facility to Bridgehead, enhancing its ever-growing reputation as a premier business location of choice.

“This collaboration between East Riding of Yorkshire Council and the University of Hull will also enhance the innovation and enterprise that is flourishing across the business park and is delivering significant economic benefits for the region as a whole.”

Bill Walker, director of Strategic Relationships and Knowledge Exchange at the University of Hull, added: “The University of Hull is delighted to be part of this exciting development. We have been working closely on this with Wykeland and East Riding of Yorkshire Council for a long time now and it is fantastic that the building work is finally under way.

“The Bridgehead location is superb in its own right and we believe the Ergo partnership will add more appeal for the knowledge-based businesses the Humber needs to support its long-term growth.

“Our investment in Ergo extends the university’s footprint at an important time for us and for the region. We are looking forward to helping our partners make this a lasting success for all concerned.”

Nigel Weatherall, commercial director, also said: “PDR Construction have been involved with the construction of the prestigious Bridgehead office park since the beginning, bringing the experience of 25 years of constructing similar high-end office and commercial projects, large and small, across a number of sectors all over the UK, to the site.

“As a local construction company, we are so pleased to be working with the council on the Ergo Centre which is a massive shot in the arm for local businesses and should be applauded.”

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